Battery compartment cover

ABSTRACT

Illustratively, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle that includes an entrance to an interior compartment. A step assembly is located adjacent the entrance of the vehicle and includes at least one step and at least one riser. The at least one riser is attached to and substantially perpendicular to the at least one step. The step assembly also includes an opening that allows access behind the step assembly. A lid is provided that includes a hinge to allow selective movement of the lid between open and closed positions with respect to the opening in the step assembly. A securement is attached to the underside surface of the lid to hold the lid to the step assembly. This securement, however, does not extend upward from the top surface of the lid.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 14/862,451, filed on Sep. 23, 2015, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/055,336,filed on Sep. 25, 2014. The subject matter disclosed in bothapplications are hereby expressly incorporated into the presentapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a delivery/cargo vehicle, andparticularly to a new battery compartment access cover for thecargo/delivery vehicle.

Delivery/cargo vehicles are typically trucks such as box trucks, walk-invans, utility vans, cargo vans, and the like. Vehicles such as theseoften include a step-well which is an internal compartment locatedunderneath steps between an interior occupant compartment and theexterior of the vehicle. Step-wells are convenient since they arepositioned at the ingress/egress portion of the vehicle. They are, thus,inherently easily accessible. This means that vehicle consumables, suchas its battery, may be easily accessed when located in such a step-well.This battery compartment located in the step-well is also convenientbecause its cover is simply a hinged riser and tread portion in thevehicle steps. All an operator or a mechanic needs to do is lift up thehinged step section to reveal the battery compartment in the step-wellunderneath.

In addition to being hinged, the step cover is also secured into placeby different mechanical means. Examples of such means include wing nutsattached to threaded bolts or straps. Both of these mechanical meansattach the step cover to a frame located at the periphery of thestep-well's opening. A disadvantage of these mechanical attaching means,however, is first, alignment problems may develop between the step coverand the frame to the extent either the wing nuts or straps secure toboth. For example, a threaded bolt extends from the frame and isdisposed through a hole in the step cover. Typically there are twothreaded bolts along the periphery of the lower frame of the step-well.Unfortunately, aligning the openings with the bolts is easier said thandone—meaning it is not always accomplished. And further, when aligned ittakes time to loosen or tighten the wing nuts onto the bolts. Similarly,if using straps a similar issue exists with alignment—this timeattaching the strap to a bracket on the frame. Second, both wing nutsand straps present a potential trip hazard, since they both extend fromthe bottom of the step riser and toward the adjacent lower step.

The present disclosure provides a cover system for a step-wellcompartment, such as a battery compartment, that no longer requires anyprotruding parts to align and secure the riser to the adjacent tread.The present disclosure provides a cover that shows no appreciablyvisible signs of a securement means. In one embodiment, the step coveris hinged at one end to flip the steps up and down to reveal or concealthe compartment underneath. One or more magnets may be attached toeither the frame or the door to magnetically hold the door in place. Itis appreciated that, if needed, a piece of metal that is magneticallyattracted to the magnet may be attached to the cover opposite the magnetto provide additional holding force if the metal used for the step coveris not sufficient. This means there may be no showing or loose parts oralignment issues. The magnetic closure also produces a consistentcompression seal over time, when the step door is secured to the frameof the compartment.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides avehicle which comprises an entrance to an interior compartment. A stepassembly is located adjacent the entrance of the vehicle and comprisesat least one step and at least one riser. The at least one riser isattached to and substantially perpendicular to the at least one step.The step assembly includes an opening that allows access behind the stepassembly. The opening is formed from both a portion of the at least oneriser and a portion of the at least one step. The at least one riser andthe at least one step are configured to attract a magnetic force orproduce a magnetic force. A lid comprises an at least one step sectionand an at least one riser section. The lid includes a hinge that allowsselective movement of the lid between open and closed positions withrespect to the opening in the step assembly. The lid covers the openingin the step assembly when in the closed position such that the at leastone step section rests on the portion of the at least one step adjacentthe opening, and the at least one riser section abuts the portion of theat least one riser adjacent the opening. The at least one step sectionand the at least one riser section each also includes a top surface andan underside surface. A securement is attached to the underside surfaceof either or both the at least one step section and the at least oneriser section. The securement is either a magnet which includes amagnetic force, or a material that attracts a magnetic force. Theattraction between the at least one step and the at least one riser tothe lid secures the lid to the at least one step and the at least oneriser. There is no securement structure extending from the top surfacesof either the step section or the riser section.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the vehicle may alsocomprise: the lid being hingedly attached to the at least one riser bythe hinge; the at least one riser section of the lid including first andsecond riser sections, and the at least one step section being locatedbetween the first and second riser sections; wherein the step assemblyincludes a second riser and the step is located between the at least oneriser and the second riser; the step assembly including an opening thatallows access behind the step assembly; the opening being formed fromthe portion of the at least one riser, the portion of the at least onestep, and a portion of the second riser; the hinge of the lid isattached to the second riser section of the lid and the portion of thesecond riser of the step assembly to allow selective movement of the lidbetween open and closed positions with respect to the opening in thestep assembly; the securement being a magnet which includes a magneticforce attracted to the at least one step and the at least one riser; thesecurement being not substantially visible above the top surface of theat least one step and riser sections; behind the opening being a batterycompartment; behind the opening being storage area housing structuresselected from the group consisting of engine, transmission, generator,and storage compartment; the step assembly being in the form of astep-well; the portion of the at least one riser and the portion of theat least one step forms a periphery about the opening that includes aframe; the underside of the lid including a plurality of receiver platesconfigured to engage at least one magnet located on the frame; and aseal located about a periphery of a portion of an underside of the lidand configured to block debris.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides avehicle that comprises an entrance to an interior compartment of thevehicle. A step assembly is located adjacent the entrance of the vehicleand comprises at least one step and at least one riser. The at least oneriser is attached to and substantially perpendicular to the at least onestep. The step assembly includes an opening that is formed in a portionof the at least one riser. A lid comprises an at least one risersection. The lid also includes a hinge that allows selective movement ofthe lid between open and closed positions with respect to the opening inthe step assembly. The at least one riser section of the lid covers theopening in the step assembly when in the closed position, and includes atop surface and an underside surface. A securement is located betweenthe underside surface of the at least one riser section and the at leastone riser. The securement is a magnet that creates a magnetic forcebetween the lid at the step assembly, and there is no securementstructure substantially extending from the top surfaces of either thestep section or the riser section.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the vehicle may alsocomprise: the lid including at least one receiver plate and thesecurement being attached to the step assembly; the at least onereceiver plate being configured to be magnetically attracted to thesecurement to hold the lid over the opening of the step assembly; thelid including the securement and the at least one receiver plate beingattached to the step assembly, wherein the at least one receiver plateis configured to be magnetically attracted to the securement to hold thelid over the opening of the step assembly; the at least one receiverplate being made of galvanized steel having a sufficient attraction tothe magnet when in close proximity thereto to keep the lid closed unlesslifted open; the magnet aligning the lid over the opening; and acompression seal being located between the lid and the step assembly.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides avehicle that comprises an entrance to an interior compartment of thevehicle; a step assembly located adjacent the entrance of the vehicleand comprising at least one step and at least one riser; the at leastone riser being attached to and substantially perpendicular to the atleast one step; the step assembly including an opening; the openingbeing formed in a portion of the at least one step; a lid comprising anat least one step section; the lid including a hinge that allowsselective movement of the lid between open and closed positions withrespect to the opening in the step assembly; the lid covering theopening in the step assembly when in the closed position; the lidincluding a top surface and an underside surface; a securement beinglocated between the underside surface of the lid and the step assembly;the securement being a magnet that creates a magnetic force between thelid and the step assembly; and there being no securement structureextending from the top surfaces of the lid.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the vehicle may alsocomprise: the lid including at least one receiver plate and thesecurement being attached to the step assembly, wherein the at least onereceiver plate being configured to be magnetically attracted to thesecurement to hold the lid over the opening of the step assembly; thelid including the securement and the at least one receiver plate beingattached to the step assembly; wherein the at least one receiver plateis configured to be magnetically attracted to the securement to hold thelid over the opening of the step assembly; the at least one receiverplate being made of galvanized steel having a sufficient attraction tothe magnet when in close proximity thereto to keep the lid closed unlesslifted open; the magnet aligning the lid over the opening; and acompression seal being located between the lid and the step assembly.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodimentsincluding the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to theattached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle entrance showing steps leadingto a vehicle's interior compartment, wherein a step-well existsunderneath the steps, the steps also serve as a movable lid or cover forthe step-well;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the steps of FIG. 1 with the coverin the opened position showing the step-well underneath;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a frame portion of the step-well whichincludes magnets attached thereto;

FIG. 4 is an isometric, detailed view of the step portion of the vehicleshowing the step cover in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is another detailed view of a portion of the frame of thestep-well showing magnets attached thereto; and

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a portion of the underside of the stepcover showing illustrative contact plates and seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A perspective view of an entrance to vehicle 4 with steps 6 extending tothe interior 8 of vehicle 4 is shown in FIG. 1. This view shows lid 10hingedly attached to riser 12 via hinges 14. It is appreciated that lid10 may include a plurality of riser sections 16 and 18 with step 20located there between substantially conforming to the shape of step 6 ofvehicle 4. This being the case, it is appreciated that the steps formedby lid 10 include no structures to hold them in place as they couldotherwise be perceived as a hazard to a person walking up and down them.It may not even be noticeable that lid 10 is anything but a set ofsteps.

A perspective view of steps 6 from FIG. 1 showing lid 10 in the uprightposition exposing a step-well 22 located within step 6 is shown in FIG.2. In this embodiment, step-well 22 is a battery compartment whichhouses battery 24, as illustratively shown. It is appreciated thatstep-well 22 may be configured to serve any numerous other functions forthe vehicle, such as engine or transmission access, or generator orstorage compartments.

Surrounding the periphery of step-well 22, assisting forming the same,is frame 26. This frame outlines the shape of the steps, as well asserving as the upper periphery for step-well 22. The underside of lid 10includes receiver plates 28 configured to engage magnets 30 on the lowerportion of frame 26. It is appreciated that in other embodiments, amagnet or magnets may be attached to either lid 10 or frame 26.Conversely, plates 28 may be attached to the frame or lid to engage themagnets. In the illustrated embodiment, receiver plates 28 on lid 10engage magnets 30 which hold lid 10 in place via magnetic force. Thiscreates a secure hold of lid 10 against steps 6 while not requiring anyfastening means external to the lid. Cumbersome fasteners or straps thatcould possibly serve as an obstacle to a person stepping into thevehicle are no longer necessary. Also shown in this view is a seal 32illustratively positioned about the periphery of a portion of theunderside of lid 10 configured to keep debris out of step-well 22.

In another illustrative embodiment, receiver plates 28 may also beattached to lid 10 (or alternatively the frame) via rivets or othersimilar non-protruding fasteners. It is contemplated that the rivetswill be deposed through lid 10 with the heads either counter sunktherein or protruding only an insubstantial amount from the surface oflid 10. The rivets or fasteners may provide an even more secure holdonto the lid or frame to ensure sufficient durability and, thus, extendproduct life.

A detailed view of frame 26 located about step-well 22 and forming aportion of steps 6 is shown in FIG. 3. This view better showsillustrative positioning of magnets 30 attached to frame 26. It isappreciated that the magnets may be strong enough to create about a 39pound pull force from frame 26. Illustratively, these magnets may have amore than ten year operating life and can be easily replaced with onefastener. An illustrative embodiment of receiver plates 28 may begalvanized steel plates that have a strong attraction to the magnetswhen in close proximity thereto. It is further appreciated that lid 10is secured using the magnets and will be self-aligning andself-adjusting. In addition, compressing the seal may not have anappreciable effect on the magnetic pull of magnets 30 to receiver plates28.

An isometric detail view of steps 6 of vehicle entrance 2 is shown inFIG. 4. This view further illustrates how lid 10 is positioned on thesteps and includes riser sections 16 and 18 along with step 20concealing step-well 22 underneath. This view further helps illustratehow the absence of any bulky mechanical fasteners extendingsubstantially from the exterior of lid 10, particularly those in theprior art used on riser section 18, creates a less intrusive stepenvironment.

A detailed view of a portion of frame 26 is shown in FIG. 5. This is anin-board looking view of step-well 22. In this view, magnets 30 areshown attached to frame 26 via fasteners 34. This means if one or bothmagnets 30 become bad or wear out, all that is needed to replace magnet30 is removing fastener 34. There are no brackets, complicatedprocedures, or tools needed to replace the magnet.

A detailed view of a portion of the underside of lid 10 is shown in FIG.6. This view shows the galvanized receiver plates 28 configured toengage and be held by magnets 30. Also shown is seal 32, positionedabout the periphery of step-well 22 in order to keep debris out, aspreviously discussed.

It is appreciated that the galvanized treated steel plates resistcorrosion over time. It is also appreciated that a high-bondingstructural adhesive may be used to hold the plates in place on the coverwhich is to make a secure attachment. It is appreciated that the coveris typically made from aluminum.

The present disclosure has been described with reference to particularmeans, materials, and embodiments. Additionally, the summary and claimsas originally filed are incorporated into, and form a portion of, thisdetailed description as well. From the foregoing, one skilled in the artcan easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the presentdisclosure and various changes and modifications may be made to adaptthe various uses and characteristics without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

1. A vehicle comprising: a step assembly located adjacent the exteriorof the vehicle and comprising at least one step and at least one riser;wherein the at least one riser is attached to and substantiallyperpendicular to the at least one step; wherein the step assemblyincludes an opening that allows access behind the step assembly; a lidcomprising an at least one step section; wherein the lid includes ahinge that allows selective movement of the lid between open and closedpositions with respect to the opening in the step assembly; a securementon the lid and the step assembly; wherein the securement includes amagnet having a magnetic force and a material that attracts the magneticforce; and wherein the magnetic force between the step assembly and thelid secures the lid to the step assembly.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1,wherein the lid is hingedly attached to the step assembly.
 3. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one step is located between afirst and second riser of the at least one riser.
 4. The vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein the securement is not substantially visible above thetop surface of the at least one step and riser.
 5. The vehicle of claim1, wherein behind the opening is a battery compartment.
 6. The vehicleof claim 1, wherein behind the opening is a storage area housingstructures selected from the group consisting of engine, transmission,generator, and storage compartment.
 7. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a seal located about a periphery of a portion of an undersideof the lid and configured to block debris.
 8. A vehicle comprising: aninterior compartment of the vehicle; a step located adjacent theinterior compartment of the vehicle; wherein the step includes anopening; a lid that includes a hinge to allow selective movement of thelid between open and closed positions with respect to the opening in thestep; wherein the lid covers the opening in the step when in the closedposition; a securement on the lid and the step that includes a magnethaving a magnetic force and a material that attracts the magnetic force;and wherein the magnetic force between the step and the lid secures thelid to the step; and wherein no portion of the securement extends fromthe lid away from the opening and interior compartment.
 9. The vehicleof claim 8, wherein the lid includes at least one receiver plate and thestep includes at least one magnet; wherein the at least one receiverplate is configured to be magnetically attracted to the at least onemagnet to hold the lid over the opening of the step.
 10. The vehicle ofclaim 8, wherein the lid includes at least one magnet and the stepincludes at least one receiver plate; wherein the at least one receiverplate is configured to be magnetically attracted to the at least onemagnet to hold the lid over the opening of the step.
 11. The vehicle ofclaim 9, wherein the at least one receiver plate is made of galvanizedsteel having a sufficient attraction to the at least one magnet when inclose proximity thereto to keep the lid closed unless lifted open. 12.The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the at least one receiver plate is madeof galvanized steel having a sufficient attraction to the at least onemagnet when in close proximity thereto to keep the lid closed unlesslifted open.
 13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the magnet aligns thelid over the opening.
 14. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the magnetaligns the lid over the opening.
 15. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein acompression seal is located between the lid and the step.